3D Printing for Apparel Companies

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This definitely doesn't apply to the regular Joe Schmo athlete on an everyday basis, but it will surely help the backyard athlete perform better in the long run.

Major sporting brands Nike and Adidas are using 3D printing to help speed up the process of shoe-making, running (pun intended) through various prototypes quicker to determine which is best to release to athletes.

Like we said, you won't care about this today, but when lighter, quicker, more comfortable shoes are out sooner, you might.

Nike Fuelband 2

Image via counterkicks.com

After receiving high praise for its release of the original Fuelband, which came out in 2012, Nike decided that it wanted to tweak some of the things the original did—and make some additional features to its follow-up.

That's why the sports giant decided to release the Fuelband 2, which does everything the original did, but better.

Now with bluetooth and synching app support, all casual athletes should be excited about this—though there's no release date yet announced.

TaylorMade R1 Driver

There's an old adage in golf that says, "Drive for show, but putt for dough."

But that doesn't stop people from dropping big-time bucks on trying to outblast their opponent off the tee box.

That's why golf manufacturer TaylorMade released their new R1 driver, which adjusts to three different settings to help control the ball a hell of a lot better than you do now, while earning some money from your buddies in those long drive contests at the range.

Under Armour's Sports Suit

Trying to compete with Nike, Under Armour has helped snatch away a lot of the younger demographic over the past five years or so—just look around little league fields and see all the kids donning the UA logo.

But the company is shooting for the big leagues with their sport suit invention that will combine a sweat-wicking outfit with the capabilities of the previously mentioned Nike Fuelband.

It might look goofy now, but who knows how it will be received by athletes and consumers?

MLB "At the Ballpark" App

This advancement might not help you rip a ball over center field or jump any higher, but it will definitely help stretch your gut out a little further—or just enhance your in-game experience.

Heralded as the "Best Sports Technology" several weeks ago, this mobile app helps you skip the lines to order food, check on seat upgrades and, well, pretty much gives you the ability to have the entire ballpark at your fingertips.

The Hover Golf Cart

Bubba Watson may have captured sports fans with his play at last year's Masters tournament when he hit one of the most memorable shots to take home the green jacket, but he won them over even more with this video of a golf cart hover craft earlier this year.

Golf carts are fun to ride around in and all, but being able to glide over almost anything you want? Now that'd be pretty damn dope.

NFL Helmet Camera

Image via Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo

Unfortunately we don't think we'll see this in any live games soon—unless someone wants to foot the bill for all those mini cameras?—but it's still something that should help players and coaches in the film room.

We've already seen new Bears head coach Marc Trestman use it in minicamps this year, and since the NFL is a copycat league, chances are more teams will utilize this gadget in the not-too-distant future.

FIFA Goal-Line Technology

After years of stubbornness that any tech advancements would slow the pace or interrupt the beautiful game—you know, more than just fan involvement—FIFA has finally enabled goal-line technology to help determine when a ball actually crosses the end line.

Too many times we've seen questionable calls happen in major matches, so this is something that probably should have happened a long time ago.